TOP DRAWER INK NEWSLETTER

 

Here's the latest issue of Top Drawer Ink, the newsletter written by author HL Carpenter that's chock full of humor and common sense information.

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August 11, 2007
Volume 5, Number 15
ISSN 1554-6330

In this issue:

1. Carpenter Country
2. Top Drawer Article
3. Top Drawer Tips
4. Top Drawer Satire

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CARPENTER COUNTRY
What's Happening in Our Neck of the Human Experience

 

Writers and editors occasionally dislike each other. Why? Because an editor is a person who can revise everything a writer has slaved over for weeks.

Here in Carpenter Country, the short one always thought being an editor would be more fun than being a writer. Last week when the guy who shares her space decided he needed a letter revised she got her chance to put on the editor’s hat.

Grabbing her blue pencil, she began to cut and slash. Soon the original words were gone, replaced by a much smoother and easier to read style. After a quick proofread and spell check the page was printed.

When the amended edition was presented to the writer, the short one expected a word of praise – or at least a kind remark about the wonderful transformation.

Instead she received a scowl and a ‘this isn’t what I wrote’ comment.

It was true; the entire piece had been amended. Now it was more concise. Easier to understand. Tighter. Better. What was the problem?

The problem, the scowler said, was that the short one had taken his words and turned them into her own. And in doing so she’d restyled the writer’s original thoughts, ignored his hard work ... and hurt his feelings.

Not wanting to trample anyone’s self-esteem, she suggested they do another draft – but this time they would discuss any changes before they were made. By the time the modifications passed muster, the editor was relieved to be done and the scowler was no longer scowling.

This goes to show an editor and a writer can work together, but leaves the short one wondering ...

... who won the rewrite shuffle and which job is really more fun?

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TOP DRAWER ARTICLE

Online Safety for Investors
by
HL Carpenter

 

Do you enjoy the convenience of investing online? If so, here’s a question: which of the following precautions is the most helpful in protecting your investment information?

Read the entire article here

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TOP DRAWER TIPS
Topics and Tidbits

 

Tip: That e-mail you received touting a ‘hot’ stock is more than likely a scam. The Securities and Exchange web site offers free information you can access to verify whether the stock is listed on an exchange. Listing doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a good investment, however. You can also search the site to find out if the company or its promoters have been sued by the SEC for deceptive practices.

Investment Glossary Term: Pump and Dump Scams. A con perpetrated by fraudsters claiming to be “insiders” who promote a company heavily in chat rooms or other Internet forums in order to lure people into buying stock. As soon as the interest and activity drive the stock price up, the promoters sell their shares, leaving the victims with a worthless investment.

Financial Horoscope: Fraud exists. But you don’t have to let fear of being conned become an obstacle to reaching your financial goals. Invest your time before you invest your cash. Ask questions and seek unbiased answers from reputable sources. Enjoy your successes as you let common sense be your guide.

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TOP DRAWER SATIRE

Campaign Promises: Made in China
by
HL Carpenter

 

The Federal Information Bureau (FIB) today issued yet another recall of a defective product widely imported from China: the campaign rhetoric of presidential hopefuls.

Read the rest here